Destined Love by Marline (i can read book club txt) 📕

at how easy it was to wrap him around my finger. “Will you come with me?” I whispered in his ear.
It didn’t take long for the guard to agree to go out riding with me. At first he was a little nervous when he found out that I did not have a signed note from James but apparently my charms caused him to break the rule. He told one of the other guards to take over his post and walked with me to the stables. I took his arm while remembering what the old man had said about one horse; it was faster and fitter than all the others. Meanwhile I continued flirting with the guard. “So how long have you been a guard here?”
“Since the palace was taken over.”
“Do you agree with everything James says?”
“Of course. He is brilliant. He managed to take over the whole palace and will soon rule over the whole country.” Pride was etched in the guard’s voice.
“He is so intelligent!” I crowed. “But is he going to take over the whole country?” I looked at him wide-eyed.
“That’s the plan.” The soldier answered. “James is going to take command of the army and get rid of anyone who stands in his way. Then, when the whole country is under his command, we will kill the Royal family and go to war with Dardoland.”
I gasped and he looked at me weirdly.
“What a coincidence!” I pretended that the gasp had been a positive one while in fact I was horrified. “I was talking to my family yesterday and telling them that the Royal family is extremely unsuitable for ruling Tokito. They have made so many stupid decisions already. I am so glad that James is finally taking action.” The guard smiled and walked over to one of the horses and I walked over to another.
“This horse is beautiful, can I ride it?” I asked him.
“That horse is extremely strong. I’m saddling this one for you, she’s calm and doesn’t run so fast.” I attempted to smile sweetly but was boiling inside. Why was this guard trying to ruin my plan?
“I have been riding since I was a little girl. I can handle a strong horse.” I said it firmly and to my delight the guard immediately gave in.
“Whatever you wish,” he said. I smiled again, walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek.
“You’re sweet.” I told him and I saw that he had turned a deep shade of red. He saddled the black stallion and then saddled a light brown one as well. When he was done I let him help me into the saddle and he opened the large wooden doors of the stable. I rode out slowly and the horse pulled on the reins, whinnied and was about to gallop off but I had a strong hold on the reins. I was happy that I could already notice the strength of this horse. The guard had taken his own horse out as well and then closed the wooden doors and jumped onto his horse’s back in one quick motion.
“Are you all right?” He asked me, as we walked over to the palace gates.
“Oh yes, I am absolutely fine.” I said sweetly. We rode through the busy town and I noticed that everybody seemed more jittery than usual, especially when they saw a palace guard ride past. When we had neared the forest I grew excited. I was going to make my escape here but nervously bit my lip when I saw the guard’s rifle hanging by his side. I would have to ride criss cross through the forest so he wouldn’t shoot me. Then I nearly started laughing. Cleo, I told myself, this guard next to you would never shoot a lady. Besides, he doesn’t even know you did anything wrong and that James is going to be furious when he finds out that he let me go. You’re going to be fine. We rode for a few more minutes in silence when I saw a little yellow flower at the side of the path and immediately got a brilliant idea.
“That’s a beautiful flower.” I said to the guard. “Do you mind getting it for me?”
“No, of course not,” he said, and immediately jumped off his horse. Just as he was bending down to pick the flower, I nudged my horse into a gallop.
“Hey!” The guard shouted after me but I knew that I had a few seconds head start and that the guard had little chance of catching up with me. I heard his horse’s hooves follow me for some time but then slowly die away. I had done it, I was free. Now all I needed to do was find Yirdo.

I rode until it had become dark and my horse was growing tired. Could I sleep in the forest? I sat on my horse for a few moments, wondering what I should do, listening to the forest noises. Even the slightest noise made me jump and I knew that I wasn’t going to get much sleep tonight.
You’ve slept under these circumstances before, I reminded myself. Yes, I argued, but I wasn’t being chased by an insane guy that time. I smiled at my own stupidity, why was I having an argument with myself in the middle of a forest when I was dreadfully lonely and hopelessly lost?
I woke every few hours and slept restlessly. When dawn finally appeared I sighed in relief and climbed onto my horse. Apparently my horse was anxious to get away from this forest as well because he immediately started galloping the moment I nudged him. After having ridden for around two hours, and wondering if I was going in circles, I saw a tiny cottage appear. I slowed my horse down to a walk and slowly approached the cottage. What if the people in there wanted to hurt me? What if I couldn’t trust them? What was I to do? I circled the house slowly and then took a deep breath. I was going to have to take a chance and hope that there was somebody in the cottage who was nice and was willing to give me directions towards Yirdo. I dismounted and walked over to the front door. Even before I knocked the door opened and an old, fat, lady stood there, slightly hunched. The smile on my face immediately calmed my nerves and I knew that she was jolly and would surely help me.
“Good morning.” I said.
“Good morning!” She smiled. “Are you here all alone?” She poked her head out of the door and looked left, then right, and then back at me.
“Yes.” I said. “I got lost.”
“Oh dear. Come in, come in, you must be hungry! Have you been out all night?” I was ushered into a cozy sitting room told to sit down.
“I have been out all night. I don’t mean to bother you, I was just coming to ask for directions.” I said.
She waved my concern away. “You’re no bother! I’m extremely happy that somebody is coming by. It gets quite lonely out here in the forest.”
“Yes, I can imagine.”
“Would you like some warm milk and breakfast? I’m sure you haven’t eaten yet.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
The rest of my visit I could not stop smiling. How was it possible that I was so lucky? After having stayed at the woman’s cottage for around an hour, I stood up. She had given me directions and new hope to get to Yirdo.
“I really must go now. I don’t know how I can thank you for all you’ve done for me.”
“Just promise you’ll come visit again.” The lady said. I couldn’t help myself; I walked over to her and hugged her. Then, I walked out the door and mounted my horse again.

I rode the rest of the day and nearly screamed with excitement when I saw the river in which Yirdo lay. I did not understand why James had shipped the Royal family off to Yirdo, it was so close to Tokito. But then I suddenly realized why he had done it: Yirdo was an easy place to keep someone prisoner because it was impossible to escape and impossible to go there without anyone seeing. I felt like crying, I was exhausted, hungry and hopeless and even my horse was no longer as motivated to continue our journey.

I had not eaten in two days and I felt my body weaken. My horse was dieting on grass and he wasn’t too happy about it but, I told him sternly, at least he had something to eat. I had ridden for most of the day and all my limbs were sore, riding for three days straight was not good for one’s muscles, I concluded. I could hardly walk when I stepped off my horse at night and had no trouble falling asleep. I was so tired that I didn’t even notice that I could see Yirdo until I was only a few hundred meters away. My energy slowly started returning when I realized that my parents were so extremely close. And my heart started beating faster because Nathan was on that island too.

I stood on the banks of the river and stared at the island. One patrol guard had already walked past and asked for my name and what I was doing here. I told him that I felt warm and needed to freshen up. He bought it without any further questions. But what was I going to do? I had not thought up a plan and I could hardly rent a boat and peddle to the island. Multiple guards would stop me and news would travel fast that a young lady had attempted to reach the island. And then James might find me. I shuddered at that idea. I walked over towards the water of the river and splashed my face with cool water. My hands were halfway to my face when a brilliant idea came to mind. Dardoland was just across the river, if I could cross it then I could inform the army and they could get my parents off the island. I got on my horse and rode along the riverbank until I came to a small ferry. I frowned when I realized that I had no money and could therefore not take the ferry to the other side. I wasn’t wearing any jewellery which I could use to give the man either. The only option I had left was to cross the river by swimming across it. I knew that at one point the river became very narrow and therefore rode for another half our to get to that place. I stared at the cold, murky waters and dreaded the thought of having to swim across this river. The water did not look very calm and I could see that there was a relatively strong undercurrent. And then, worst of all, there was the possibility of wild animals who would love to have a young woman for lunch. But I had to set it all aside and forget about my worries because it was a necessity to get to the other side. I got off my horse and walked towards the water. I sat down and took off my shoes and placed them against a tree, knowing that I would probably never see them again. I placed one toe in the water and I flinched when I felt how cold it was. Then I slipped my simple dress over my head and wondered what the head of the army would think if I approached